The clubby and inviting lobby of The Ace Hotel is a destination not just for guests but also for New York’s tony adventurers.
It seems like everyday a new luxury hotel breaks ground somewhere in the world. I find the arrival of these new projects both awe-inspiring and somewhat overwhelming to track, especially here in NYC. Elegant grand dames like The Carlyle and The Plaza are going nowhere; however, a new breed of luxury consumer is seeking a hotel where they can do more than just sleep and eat and hoteliers have taken notice. Consumers want a hotel that is happening, where a tangible buzz can be felt in the air, especially in the hotel’s lobby. Enter: hotel lobbies as destinations.
The Ace & The Art of Escapism
Many of the hottest hotel lobbies have become epicenters of nightlife, serving up cocktails and more courtesy of impeccably dressed wait staff. The Ace Hotel’s striking lobby, complete with massive columns and vintage American flags, feels a bit like a warehouse mixed with a country house living room. Then throw in some touches that David Lynch and Lewis Carroll would certainly approve of (animal furs, gigantic Alice in Wonderland-like letters).
When you walk into The Ace, you enter a different world, one of imagination, fantasy, and luxury. Creating a hotel lobby that will become the next hot destination doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with offerings (although in my humble opinion, cocktails should constantly flow). The key is to create a great story. The architecture, furnishings, lighting and artwork will all work together to transport the guest to another world and provide a luxurious escape from reality.
Down in The Bowery
One of the chicest spots in town, the lobby of The Bowery Hotel seems like it was plucked from a Wes Anderson and is a terrific spot for a cocktail or just to people watch.
The “Bowery” used to be an edgy enclave of the punk scene and an area where racial tensions ran high; my how things have changed. I recently attended a birthday party at the effortlessly cool Bowery Hotel and since I arrived early, I decided to wander through the stunning lobby and explore the Lobby Bar with drink in hand.
The Bowery Hotel’s Lobby Bar is most certainly a destination for the jet set, celebrities, models and socialites. The lighting is dim, Gotham-esque, complete with a roaring fire in an ornate stone fireplace (perfect for cold NYC nights). Plush velvet couches, massive Persian rugs and palm leaves abound in this sexy hot spot and transport you to Casablanca or maybe a sultan’s living room.
Both the lobby and Lobby Bar are adorned with dark Art Deco wooden paneling, ornate light fixtures, and magnificent detail (check out the gargoyles that are carved into the seatbacks). In the summer, the stunning patio right off the lobby is a great place for a cappuccino or cocktail and feels reminiscent of Marrakech, with its vibrant tiles and lavish seats.
Boutique hotels are a bit of an obsession for me given my job in travel PR so NYC provides a constantly changing and evolving landscape for the hotel lobby as a destination.
What are your favorite hotel lobbies in NYC and around the world? Leave us comments and start a conversation!